My one dream college growing up was attending The University of Texas. I just knew that would be the college I would go to. Many of my family members went there, and I had a lot of pride for the school. When the rejection letter came, my face turned red with rage. I didn't have bad grades, but in order to even be considered, you needed to be in the top eight percent of your school. "Why am I not good enough?" I thought to myself as I ripped the letter into shreds engulfing them into flames (LOL,JK. I'm not that savage...)

Fast forward a couple of months, I started school at Texas Lutheran University. At first, I wasn't too pumped. Small school; big whoop. I feared that I would miss out on that "real college experience." Once things got rolling, that fear disappeared.

I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I was meant to go to Texas Lutheran. At TLU, I felt at home. The brochures raved about the "tight knit community," but it's really true. The friendly environment and accepting attitude was refreshing.

I ended up doing so much more than I ever could have at any other big school. I was the mascot, "Lucky the Bulldog," for all four years of my college career. It was an honor to get to represent my school. I got a sideline pass to every sport and an excuse to dance around like a lunatic.

My junior year, I studied abroad in England. Classes were held inside of a manor house and I basically lived like Harry Potter for four months. TLU is one of the only schools in Texas that can send students there. I travelled the world on the weekends and gained life experiences I couldn't get anywhere else. When I got back, I joined the Campus Activity Board where we planned events for students like paint parties and concerts.

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Senior year was one for the books. My very last year, I said to hell with it and rushed a sorority. Then I joined the track team. Try doing that at UT. Lol.

Besides all of the extracurricular activities, the academic side also proved to be worthwhile. Classes were challenging and at times unconventional. Professors kept me engaged with creative teaching strategies. At TLU, I didn't get lost in the crowd or the big class sizes. My biggest class had 25 students. I could actually talk to my professors and they knew me by name. I didn't have to fuss with a TA. I could even walk across campus in ten minutes. I was still late to class. My bad, profs.

Along the way, I met some of the best friends I could ever ask for.

My point is that sometimes when your wishes don't come true, you're in store for something even better. I couldn't be more proud to call Texas Lutheran University my Alma Mater. I truly learned to live boldly and to inspire. I wouldn't trade that to sport burnt orange any day.